The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-17

commander to take charge of and organize
militia, and appointed General Harrison to
that duty. The General declined, and rec
commended General Dan Macauley, who was
thereupon appointed. In that interview with
the Governor General Harrison agreed to ac-
cept the captaincy Of company, and was so
commissioned by Governor Williams The
Governors announcement to General Macau-
ley, accompanying his commission, was:
Whereas, have been informed of the ex-
istence in Marion and adjoining counties OF
an unlawful combination of disaffected en-
ployes of railroad companies whose lines cen
ter at the capital, which threatens the lives
and property of the community and is beyond
the power of the civil authorities to control,
and may require the use Of militia, etc,
and then followed the commission. In an
interview Governor Williams stated that 'it
had been demonstrated that the local au-
thorities were unable to suppress disorder"
The form of enrolment paper used for or
ganizing was solely one binding to preserve
law, etc. eve, whose names are hereunto
attached, agree to organize ourselves into a
military company to protect life and property
in our city. and to assist the civil authorities
in maintaining law" etc.
General Harrisons company was composed
of some of the best and most prominent citizens
of indianapolis, Of both political parties. 1t is
also fact that on the Goth of July, after the
issuance of the Governors proclamation, the
railroad strikers sent committee to Governor
Williams, and rendered their services in the
formation of military company to maintain
the law" thus doing precisely what the citi-
zens and General Harrison were doing.
The men engineering the strike were very
anxious for the prevention of such scenes as
were witnessed in Pittsburg. Mayor Caven
swore in many of them as special policemen
to assist in the protection Of order and prop
erty and law and order were preserved.
| General Harrison's voice was for mild measures
at all times, and ia the committee his infu-
ence was against any rash action that would
have been likely to precipitate conflict; but
when asked by Democratic Governor to be-
come the commanding general Of the militia
force he proposed to organize he could dc
nothing less, certainly than to volunteer to
take place as captain, without laying him
self liable to the charge Of an indisposition tc
assist the Democratic State authorities in pre-
serving the public peace.
AS matter of fact, when some of ths
strikers became involved in trouble with thu
United States Court and were sent to Jail by
| Judge Drummond, General Harrison person
ally wrote letter to the Judge, after a small
portion of their sentences had been served
suggesting that the men had been punished
fully enough, and that it would be we'll fo
him to come down here and release them
This, it will be remembered, Judge Drum
mond did, and as some of the men passed on
of the courtroom they shook hands will
Gen. Harrison. thanking him, and saying tina
had they followed his advice, given to then
in the several committee meetings, the,
would have avoided all trouble
General Halrison's entire connection with
the strike of 1877 was that of the honorable
conservative citizen he is. He aided tn
Democratic authorities, upon their call, b
his influence and service, and the railroa
men, as well, by constant friendship to tn
justice of their demands for higher rates q
| paw It is indicative of the desperation q
the Democratic revolutionists when resort
had to such brutal, infamous and false al
sertions as disgraced the Sentinel of Satu1
day.